Psychology Experts On Isolation Amidst Coronavirus Crisis

As Nigeria prepares to deal with more cases of COVID-19, psychologists all over the world offer advice on how to deal with isolation and quarantine situations.

Psychologists Explain How to Better Deal with Quarantine and Isolation

As people all over the world are required to stay at home, psychologists try to explain how to ward off loneliness and anxiety at these hard times.

In a matter of months, the COVID-19 turned into a pandemic, affecting millions of people in 194 countries and regions. While the virus has been wreaking havoc in Asia and multiple European countries, African states have been relatively lucky so far.

However, the contagious virus is spreading fast, and it is bound to affect Nigeria, and all of Africa, in a monumental way. Up until now, according to numbers published by the Johns Hopkins University, South Africa has 709 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and in Ghana, there are 51 active cases.

When it comes to Nigeria, there are 46 confirmed Coronavirus cases at this moment, with one deceased and two recovered patients. But while the numbers seem comforting, the situation might escalate in a blink of an eye. Glenda Gray, president of the South African Medical Research Council, said: “We really have no idea how COVID-19 will behave in Africa”.

As universities and schools close and non-essential workers are ordered to work from home in Lagos, people have to face the new reality of self-isolation and possible mandatory quarantine. While some see this as an opportunity for an improvised vacation that will allow then to play online casino 24pokies games during isolation, others are worried.

The virus can greatly affect the health system, local and global economy, but most importantly – it can have a major impact on the individual’s mental state. Psychology experts all over the world addressed the issue, coming together to make quarantine and social distancing more tolerable.

How to Deal with Quarantine – Expert’s Advice

Being stuck at home, whether due to mandatory quarantine or self-isolation, can lead to loneliness and depression, according to experts. Humans are social creatures, and our biological and psychological systems thrive when we are a part of society.

Moreover, research shows that loneliness and isolation are linked to an assortment of health-related issues: high blood pressure, obesity, cognitive decline, heart disease, and more.

To avoid the harsh ramifications of being stuck at home for a long time, psychology experts from various countries published lists of tips on how to deal with stress and how to fight solitude. The tips include the following:

Stick to reliable sources of information

There are dozens of rumors and unfounded claims circulating the internet and social media, creating panic and raising anxiety levels. Also, too much exposure to media coverage on the virus can lead to additional feelings of fear. To avoid these negative feelings, limit your media exposure, and gather information from official sources only, like government bodies, the WHO website, and more.

Keep things in perspective

Various psychological tools can help you manage your stress and putting things into perspective is one of them.

From time to time, ask yourself: “Am I imagining the worst for no reason and getting ahead of myself?” – After all, the confirmed number of cases in the country is low at this moment in time.

“Do I think the effects of the virus will be devastating without basing it on facts?” – Remember that 96% of patients infected with the virus around the globe are in mild condition.

Most people recover without requiring any special treatment.

“Can I cope with the situation?” – Think about all the things you’ve overcome in the past to remind yourself that you’ve been through bad things before – and survived. You can also create a plan on how to deal with the illness if you attract the virus, to feel more in control of the situation.

Remain socially active

Even though you can’t meet people face to face, that doesn’t mean you have to become lonely overnight. You just must get more creative when communicating with loved ones! Psychologists suggest using phone calls, texts, video chat, and social media more often to create a virtual support system.

You can discuss your feelings on Facebook and other social media platforms, as special groups have been opened for this exact purpose.

Look after yourself

Experts say that keeping up with your self-care routine can help you avoid depression and remain positive. Get enough sleep, have a balanced menu, and exercise at home.

You should also create a daily routine and stick to it to get a feeling of purposefulness in this time of chaos.

In Conclusion

As the COVID-19 pandemic keeps spreading and affecting more African states, learning how to deal with the stress of the situation is paramount.

For more information, visit the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) website.

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